Ariel Siegel, Annotation 7 October 19th, 2011
Milking the Rhino WC: 870
Milking the Rhino, David Simpson, 2009
The main argument of the story is focused on the interactions of people and animals. In particular a country of natively rich wildlife is difficult within the realm of the inhabitants, whose beliefs, traditions and way of life is battling against Western expectations. In two of oldest cattle cultures, the Maasai of Kenya and Namibia's Himba, are explored and examine the resentment of animals in the eyes of these tribes. What is the cause of such animosity? “White man conservatism, which is based upon the community tries to balance the needs of wildlife and people. This is often perceived as a success on both ends, but this is not true in reality and that is the purpose of this film.
The argument is sustained via interviews with these individuals. “They are just animals.” Spirituality is often attributed to native cultures, not in this case. These areas are where tourism and adaptation to Western principles is prevalent in the inhabitants of Africa. The positive effects of colonization is described many times, however the environment changes as a whole. With ideologies stressing principles like capitalism and disregard for one's actions, this culture which thrived on conservation and taking only what they need is now on stage at least with respect to tourism.
The sustainability problems that this film demonstrates includes: political, cultural, ecological, as well as behavioral. With respect to politics and ideologies the moralities are being molded and shaped into predators. Competition can have this affect, but it is not healthy in the realm of the culture and their traditions as well as the environment and their poor prey.
The parts of the film that were most compelling include the interviews, which had great emotional appeal (I'm an animal lover!). The images of these poor creatures being slain made me cover my eyes. Due to my personal beliefs and experience, I was unable to witness such disrespect for nature and our fellow animals. Traditional methods cannot be applied due to the unstable environment (ie: droughts). The cultural perspective of the myth of Africa definitely allowed for a proper mindset of the troubles with the wildlife, the acceptance of this myth is necessary to understand and comprehend the problems within this conservationism approach.
The film was rather inclusive with a distinction of concepts that surround this issue: wildlife and rural livelihoods, myth of wild Africa, conservation, community-based conservation, and tourism. The profits from this policy were also addressed including healthcare, however the issues of human-wildlife conflicts and the impacts on the grazing behavior were the focus of this argument.
The film best addresses American and European travelers whose money supports and maintains this horrific lifestyle. The perception of colonization of these areas is considered a strength with expanding the power of international rich countries. The effects of the colonization or imperialism of the area are not generally acknowledged. These two areas were unheard of and represent the traditions that came before our modern understanding of things. This is not just important with respect to the wildlife, but these individuals have lost part of their collective identity in their culture. Education on our international relations and policies encourage the issue of conservation. Politicians and the general public is blinded by a view of Africa as a wild free land, this film explores these lands and the impacts of Western influence.
In order to enhance the environmental educational value of the film, other continents could have been explored. The effects of our power and our colonization is important, for it is our duty to preserve nature and culture to our highest abilities. Yet mentality is focused on resources and getting what we need from the country, the inhabitants are on their own. The very concept attacks the foundation of morality and culture.
Suggestions for actions or points of intervention include: supporting community-friendly eco-lodges that ensures a better experience as well as providing an ethical foundation. The purpose of this film was to educate travelers on the consequences of their actions.
Due to the importance of this issue, after doing more research two references shed light on the issue in a unique way. The first reference I explored was INCEF (International Conservation and Education Fund) which addresses issues such as “wildlife conservation, public health and economic development in underdeveloped and/or overly exploited areas of the planet.” An organization like this focuses on bridging the cultural gap and helping others in understanding of culture, education, and planning for ways to help yet not restrict cultural traditions.
The second reference provides information about AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment and Development) provides information in the news and in several areas to provide expert knowledge by coordinating with veterinarians, ecologists, biologists, social and economic scientists, agriculturists, wildlife managers, public health specialists and others from across East and southern Africa. This organization attempts to understand and prevent conservation from conflicting with agricultural interests. This organization includes a few other locations such as Great Limpopo, Kavango-Zambezi, Great Apes, Zambia, as well as Namibia.
Animal & Human Health for the Environment and Development.
<<http://www.wcs-ahead.org/>>
Milking the Rhino WC: 870
- Milking the Rhino, David Simpson, 2009
- The main argument of the story is focused on the interactions of people and animals. In particular a country of natively rich wildlife is difficult within the realm of the inhabitants, whose beliefs, traditions and way of life is battling against Western expectations. In two of oldest cattle cultures, the Maasai of Kenya and Namibia's Himba, are explored and examine the resentment of animals in the eyes of these tribes. What is the cause of such animosity? “White man conservatism, which is based upon the community tries to balance the needs of wildlife and people. This is often perceived as a success on both ends, but this is not true in reality and that is the purpose of this film.
- The argument is sustained via interviews with these individuals. “They are just animals.” Spirituality is often attributed to native cultures, not in this case. These areas are where tourism and adaptation to Western principles is prevalent in the inhabitants of Africa. The positive effects of colonization is described many times, however the environment changes as a whole. With ideologies stressing principles like capitalism and disregard for one's actions, this culture which thrived on conservation and taking only what they need is now on stage at least with respect to tourism.
- The sustainability problems that this film demonstrates includes: political, cultural, ecological, as well as behavioral. With respect to politics and ideologies the moralities are being molded and shaped into predators. Competition can have this affect, but it is not healthy in the realm of the culture and their traditions as well as the environment and their poor prey.
- The parts of the film that were most compelling include the interviews, which had great emotional appeal (I'm an animal lover!). The images of these poor creatures being slain made me cover my eyes. Due to my personal beliefs and experience, I was unable to witness such disrespect for nature and our fellow animals. Traditional methods cannot be applied due to the unstable environment (ie: droughts). The cultural perspective of the myth of Africa definitely allowed for a proper mindset of the troubles with the wildlife, the acceptance of this myth is necessary to understand and comprehend the problems within this conservationism approach.
- The film was rather inclusive with a distinction of concepts that surround this issue: wildlife and rural livelihoods, myth of wild Africa, conservation, community-based conservation, and tourism. The profits from this policy were also addressed including healthcare, however the issues of human-wildlife conflicts and the impacts on the grazing behavior were the focus of this argument.
- The film best addresses American and European travelers whose money supports and maintains this horrific lifestyle. The perception of colonization of these areas is considered a strength with expanding the power of international rich countries. The effects of the colonization or imperialism of the area are not generally acknowledged. These two areas were unheard of and represent the traditions that came before our modern understanding of things. This is not just important with respect to the wildlife, but these individuals have lost part of their collective identity in their culture. Education on our international relations and policies encourage the issue of conservation. Politicians and the general public is blinded by a view of Africa as a wild free land, this film explores these lands and the impacts of Western influence.
- In order to enhance the environmental educational value of the film, other continents could have been explored. The effects of our power and our colonization is important, for it is our duty to preserve nature and culture to our highest abilities. Yet mentality is focused on resources and getting what we need from the country, the inhabitants are on their own. The very concept attacks the foundation of morality and culture.
- Suggestions for actions or points of intervention include: supporting community-friendly eco-lodges that ensures a better experience as well as providing an ethical foundation. The purpose of this film was to educate travelers on the consequences of their actions.
- Due to the importance of this issue, after doing more research two references shed light on the issue in a unique way. The first reference I explored was INCEF (International Conservation and Education Fund) which addresses issues such as “wildlife conservation, public health and economic development in underdeveloped and/or overly exploited areas of the planet.” An organization like this focuses on bridging the cultural gap and helping others in understanding of culture, education, and planning for ways to help yet not restrict cultural traditions.
The second reference provides information about AHEAD (Animal & Human Health for the Environment and Development) provides information in the news and in several areas to provide expert knowledge by coordinating with veterinarians, ecologists, biologists, social and economic scientists, agriculturists, wildlife managers, public health specialists and others from across East and southern Africa. This organization attempts to understand and prevent conservation from conflicting with agricultural interests. This organization includes a few other locations such as Great Limpopo, Kavango-Zambezi, Great Apes, Zambia, as well as Namibia.International Conservation and Education Fund. <<http://www.incef.org/>>
Animal & Human Health for the Environment and Development.
<<http://www.wcs-ahead.org/>>